Apparatus for the lighting of luminescent tubes



n- 1934-, D, A. A. KAY'sE I 1 1,942,105,

APPARATUS FOR THE LIGHTING pr'wumzczu'r TUBE;

Original Filed-Jan. 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

2 a I f Jan. 2, 1934- D. P.'A. A. KAYSER 4 APPARATUS FOR THE LIGHTING OF LUMINESCENT TUBES Original-Filed Jah. 21, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 2', 1934 APPARATUS FOR THELIGIITING F LU- MINESCVENT TUBES Daniel Paul Albert Andre Kayser, Paris, France Original application January 21, 1928, 250,874, and in France February 11, vided and this application July 29, 1929.

Serial No. 1927. Di-

Serial '7 Claims. (Cl. 176-124) -My invention is a division of my prior aplagi2cation 'Ser. No. 250,874, filed January 21st,

This prior application has for its object an '5 apparatus and a method for the lighting of luminescent tubes chiefly neon tubes over a vary 4 ing portion of their length. It provides means for controlling the portion ofthe tube which is illuminated and for producing special bead and nodule effects according, if desired, to a predetermined law of succession.

Now, whereas I have claimed broadly in my prior application a method and means for controlling the illumination of such tubes by means of modifications in the voltage of the tube feeding alternating or oscillating current, I propose, according to my present invention, to obtain asimilar result through modifications in the intensity of the filament-heating current of a vacuum tube producing the oscillating current adapted to feed the luminescent tube and the voltage of which is consequently modified for the purpose specified.

Referring to the accompanying drawings- Figure l is a view showing means for varying the intensity of the filament heating current of the electron discharge tube to vary the intensityof the current, feeding the luminescent ube. 30 Fig' 2 illustrates another manner of obtaining the same result.

Figs. 3 and 4 show in two positionsa modification comprising a motor drivenframe.

Fig. 5 shows an electrically operated current control device. 0

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of a plurality of electronic tubes for feeding the glow tube;

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, my device comprises a three electrode tube for generating electric oscillations. The filament F of .the said tube is inserted in a circuit comprising a battery 3 for heating said filament, an incandescent lamp 102 and a periodically actuated switch 2. The connections of the grid and of the plate are of any well known type adapted to produce self oscillation .of the tube. For instance, as shown in Fig. 1, plate P is connected through battery 4 to an oscillating circuit comprising coil 5 and a condenser 6, said circuit being connected, on the other hand, to filament F. The grid is also connected to .said filament through coil '7, which is inductively coupled with "coil 5. .The luminescent tube T which is to be controlled through my device is connected to 55 the secondary of a transformer-8 the primary of which is inserted in the plate circuit of tube 101. Incandescent lamp 102 may be either of the carbon filament type or of the metallic filament type. In the first case the resistance of lamp 102 gradually diminishes as the lamp heats up, whereas in'the second case the resistance of the said lamp increases as it heats up. As the circuit of said lamp 102 is periodically opened and closed, it follows that the current is caused to flow periodically through filament F, the intensity of said current varying gradually due to the variations of resistance of the filament of lamp 102 consecutive to its being alternately heated up and allowed to cool. The heating of filament F is therefore periodically and gradw ally caused to vary and therefore the voltage impressed upon tube T is periodically caused to vary. I obtain thus in an absolutely automatic manner a progressive or regressive lighting of the tube T followed by extinction, this cycle 'repeating itself indefinitely.

Likewise with the same idea in view, I may use the expansion of a wire acting mechanically upon a resistance of variable character or' other variable element which willvary the intensity of the current in the filament of the tube. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 2.

As shown in said Figure 2, the filament of the 4 electronic tube is fed by a current supply 103,

generally a transformer. Another transformer 104 sends current through a wire 105 carrying through a preferably insulated rod 106, a lever 10'! carrying at its extremity and electrically connected with a'spirally wound resistance wire 108. Beneath the said wire is a cup 109 containing mercury and into which the wire 108 is adapted to dip to a greater or less extent, according to the position of lever 107. The said lever, the wire 108 and the mercury form part of the filament exciting circuit 110 of tube 101. When the wire 105 expands the lever 10'! is lowered, the variable resistance of wire 108 is diminished, and as a result the filament of tube 101 becomes heated to a higher degree, which causes the progressive lighting and extinction of the luminescent tube. Instead of a resistance, lever 10''! may control a variable condenser or inductance, or the looseness of a coupling as disclosed in my prior specification No. 250,874.

It may be desirable to use a mechanical device such as that represented in Figures 3 and 4.

As therein shown, the device comprises a reservoir 12 containing mercury and communicating by means of a small tube 13 with the bottom of a vertical chamber 14 in which is placed 9.

-here as an electro-magnet 29' the reservoir 12 with The operation place as follows:

When the apparatus is in its normal position shown in Fig. 3 the mercury runs out of reservoir 12 through tube 13 and rises slowly in chamber 14.

top of the tube 14. of the device just describedtakes As a result, the resistance afforded by wire 15 gradually diminishes which determines the prog- 14 to reach the contact 20, current is supplied to motor 17 which causes the whole arrangement to turn about the shaft 16 thereof in such a manner as to bring the device into the position shown in Figure 4. The mercury then runs rapidly out of the chamber 14 through the large tube '21 into the reservoir 12, whereby the resistance afforded by Wire 15 increases suddenly and the illumination of the tube T decreases. The rotation thus produced may also act upon a switch controlling the feed current.

When all the mercury has returned into reservoir 12, the contact 20 shown in Figure 3.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 5.

In this figure an electrically controlled diagrammatically shown pendulum 23, of the type well known to those skilled in the art, carries a device serving to wind a spring 24 or to raise a weight serving the same purpose. The windtained by a fixed stop pawl 28. Suitable releasing means are provided for the pawl 28, and are shown under control of a contact 29 actuated by the wheel 27 during its movement of rotation, which magnet serves to raise the stop pawl 28 at the moment desired.

This is accomplished-as follows:

The said stop pawl remains raised during unwinding of the spring or fall of the weight by means of a suitable stop, which is released when the unwinding operation is at an end.

e The spring 24, when unwinding, causes the shaft 24 of the wheel 27 or blade wheel.

Associated with the pinion 31 fixed to 'a lever 32 of a rheostat 33 in the filament heating circuit.

It is to be particularly understood that this ardisposed to turn, said movement of rotation being governed in any suitable manner.

rangement is described by way of example and that the rack 30 could readily be replaced by any of the well known devices adapted to-vary the intensity of a current or to act on a variable element capable of modifying same.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that a suitable switch will make the lighting of th tube cease a certain time after the said tube phenomena alternating current wave can be used, e. g. the 1 current corresponding to the positive values of the alternating current.

As a result, obscure spots appear in the tube which produce very disagreeable luminous effects.

In order to overcome this disadvantage I have provided an arrangement which rectifles the cur rent electronic tube. diagrammatically Such a device is represented in Figure 6.

In said Fig. 6 alternating current, the voltage of which is say 110 volts, is taken from the mains and feeds two transformers connected in shunt relationship, one of these 36 being a high tension transformer, and the other 37, a low tension transformer. The secondary winding of the low 38, a variable resistance 39 and a return conductor 40. This latter. conductor may be provided with a periodically actuated switch. The grids of said tubes are connected to a central tap 43 of the secondary winding of the low tension a tuning circuit compris- 47 may also be disposed in the grid circuit, if desired.

The plates of the two electronic tubes 41 and 42 are connected to the terminals of the secondary winding of the high tension'transformer 36. The mid-point 43 of the secondary winding of the high tension transformer 36 is connected secondary winding of the and an inductance 49.

inductive relation to each other, producing an j sive lighting effects or movable and stationary.

nodules.

} heating circuit, means in may be made periodically opening heating circuit, an

electro-magnetic inductive couple there-between.

It will thus be seen that by means of this device the tube 42 will be alternations of the alternating current supplied by the mains and the tube 41 will be excited for the other alternation thereof, in such manner that the arrangement of inductances 45, 49 will always be producing an oscillationg field.

By coupling a winding 50 with the said inductances the said winding will be traversed by an oscillating current at a very high voltage capable of exciting the luminescent tube T. In the event that the tube employed is of such a nature that its excitation does not necessitate a very high voltage, the said tube may then be fed directly by the current passing through the in ductance 49.

current flowing in the tube is controlled by adjusting one or both of the variable elements 44 and 48 in the arrangement shown with a view to obtain progressive or regres- The intensity of the In practice it is usually the condenser 44, which is used for this purpose'as it gives the maximum sensibility.

It will be noticed that in principle the lumi-' nescent tubes may be kept illuminated by direct current or by low frequency alternating current of suitable voltage, once this illumination has been obtained by the high frequency current.

While I have disclosed what I believe to be the preferable forms of execution of my invention in the various examples set forth, I do not wish to be limited thereto, as various further changes in the details of construction and the arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention comprehended within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for electrically controlling the degree of illumination of a luminescent tube and the formation of luminous beads or nodules therein comprising a three electrode electron tube adapted to act as a high frequency generator, a filament heating circuit for said tube, means for periodically opening and closing said filament said circuit for progressively changing the resistance thereof upon op eration of the first mentioned means and means for feeding the luminescent tube with the high frequency variable voltage current generated by the electron tube.

2. An apparatus for electrically controlling the degree of illumination of a luminescent tube and the formation of luminous beads or nodules therein comprising a three electrode electron tube adapted to act as-a high frequency generator, a filament heating circuit for said tube, means for and closing said filament incandescent lamp 'in said circuit for progressively changing the resistance thereof upon operation of the first mentioned means and means for feeding the luminescent tube with the high frequency variable voltage current generated by the electron tube.

. 3. An apparatus for automatically luminescent tubes comprising controlling in combination a excited for one of the filament transformer connected to one of said tubes, a three electrode'electron tube adapted to supply said transformer with oscillating current, a filament heating circuit for said tube, means for periodically opening and closing said filament heating circuit, and means in said filament heating circuit for'progressively changing the resistance thereof upon operation'of said first mentioned means.

4.-An apparatus for automatically .controlling luminescent tubes comprising in combination a transformer connected to one of three electrode electron tube adapted to supply said transformer with oscillating current, a filament heating circuit for said electronic tube, means for periodically opening and closing said heating circuit, and an incandescent lamp inserted in series in said filament heating circuit for progressively changing the resistance thereof upon operation of said first mentioned means.

- 5. An apparatus for electrically controlling the degree of illumination of a luminescent tube and the formation of luminous beads or nodules therein, comprising a three electrode electron tube, a filament heating circuit for said electron tube, a plate circuit for said tube, means for periodically opening and closing said filament circuit, an oscillating circuit fed by said plate circuit, means connecting said plate circuit with the luminescent tube and means for progressively tuning the last mentioned circuit.

6. An apparatus for electrically controlling the degree of illumination of a luminescent tube and the formation of luminous beads or nodules therein, which comprises alternating current, two three electrode electron tubes including each a filament circuit and a plate circuit, means for connecting the last mensaid tubes, a

tioned tubes to said source of current in such a manner as to allow current to flow through one tube for one direction of the current and to flow through the other tube for the other means for periodically opening and filament circuits of these tubes, and

direction of manner as to allow current to fiow through one tube for one direction of the current and to fiow through the other tube for the other direction of the current, means for periodically opening and closing the filament circuits of these tubes, means for coupling the plate circuits of the last mentioned tubes with the luminescent tube, and means for progressively varying the current flowing through either of the three electrode electron tubes.

DANIEL PAUL ALBERT ANDRE KAYSER. 

